Safety Flash
Vibration-induced fatigue on process pipework
Vibration-induced fatigue on process pipework
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 02/14
- Inspection and MaintenanceNoise and VibrationProcess SafetyStructural and Asset Integrity
- Material fatigueStructural and asset integrity
- Inspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
This safety flash relays a NOPSEMA inspection finding of vibration-induced fatigue cracking and previous rectification work on small-bore seawater cooling pipe connections. The operator initially regarded the incident as a minor weep rather than reportable damage to safety-critical equipment. IMCA highlights potentially wider implications beyond oil and gas process pipework.
Classifications: Material fatigue; metal fatigue.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Summary
Inspection identified vibration-fatigue cracking in small-bore process connections and highlighted the need to report safety-critical damage.
IMCA SF 02/14. Themes: inspection and maintenance, noise and vibration, process safety, structural and asset integrity.